Klosterman Response.

Before reading Chuck Klosterman's article on laugh tracks in sitcoms I had never really given the fact much thought.  Now thinking back to all the times I watched shows like Friends or Two and A Half Men, like Klosterman mentioned, I realize that the material really wasn't that funny and yet I was laughing.  The author makes the point that we are only laughing in these instances because we feel like we should. And I completely agree with that.  We all know the feeling of watching a show and laughing just because we either don't know what else to do or because everyone else thinks it is funny.  Klosterman also discusses the TV shows that do not have laugh tracks.  He states, "...comedy without canned laughter is supposed to be smarter, hipper, and less predictable...," which I think a lot of people find out to be true.  I personally prefer shows like The Office or It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia to the predictable comedy sitcoms. 

Klosterman also explains that Americans have three types of laughter. They include a real laugh, a fake real laugh, and a filler laugh.  He explains that in America we tend to laugh in situations where we do not know what or have anything to say.  I find this very amusing, because it is true. Next time you are having a conversation, take note of how they respond to unimportant statements.  Klosterman hits the nail on the head with his idea because everyone does this and you can definitely tell the difference between the three.  I really enjoyed reading this article. I found it entertaining and hilarious.

Possible Research Topics.

I am considering doing my paper on the anthropology of food.  How food had effected cultures throughout time is something that really interests me. I find it fascinating to read about how food had brought people differnt cultures together.  Also, the physical changes it has had on people.  The only this that makes me unsure is whether or not I can find opposing views on the subject.  Another topic that I am thinking about doesn't have anything to do with hospitality but I find it so intriguing.  Egyptian history had always been an interst of mine. Mainly the anthropological aspect of how people interacted with each other. Also, the technology that has been created to help provide valid dna for remains is amazing. I'm still on the fence though and finding a topic has been more difficult that I thought it would be.

Annotaion on Porter Article.

Porter, Michael E. "How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy." Harvard Business Review Mar-Apr. (1979): 91-101. Web. 2 Feb. 2011.

This article is not specific to the hospitality industry but the components discussed are very useful.  Mr. Porter discusses the five forces that govern competition in an industry.  At the center is the rivalry amongst competitors.  Porter explains that a business within any industry must fight for control with competitors.  Bringing attention to your business and becoming a strong, dominate force is what every business wants and what every industry needs.  Circling around this statement are four aspects that can help or hurt an industry.  First is the threat of new entrants.  With every new business that arises Porter explains, it will cause changes economically and create more competition.  Second, is the threat of substitute products or services.  What this means is that companies will try and sell substitute brands of certain products or services at cheaper prices.  By doing so, they become more appealing to customers than the original simply due to the price.  Third is the bargaining power of suppliers.  Porter explains that suppliers can raise prices and reduce quality of products or services at their own will.  At the same time the fourth aspect, the bargaining powers of buyers can do the same.  Customers can influence industries to lower prices but still demand a high quality product or service.  Porter’s theory is that to have a successful industry strategy there must be a balance between all five forces. 

I think that this article can be very useful to me throughout my career.  Mr. Porters theory makes perfect sense.  All five points that he talks about are influences that any business will have to deal with.  This is why Dr. Shiring recommended it because he know that what Mr. Porter said is very important.  I think that if a manager were to take this concept and apply it to their field of study that it would work.  Once actually in the industry I feel that Porters Model will be something that I apply to my work. But at the moment I do not know whether or not this article will help me with my research. Simply because I have not yet chosen a topic.

Richtel Response.

After I finished reading Matt Richtel's article on technology I felt nothing but sadness for the Campbell family. To be so addicted to various devices sounds like the absolute worst.  Not being able to disconnect and enjoy family and surroundings is not something that Mr. Campbell and his children should be proud off.  Although they may feel that nothing is being lost while they are all engulfed in devices, I feel that they are sadly mistaken.  As Mr. Nass, an employee at Stanford said, " The way we become more human is by paying attention to each other. It shows how much you care. A significant fraction of people's experiences are now fragmented."  I completely agree with this statement. How is this family supposed to function around others if they can't go more than an hour without using some type of technology.  The story about a vacation taken in California was almost tragic.  For family time to be pushed aside due to the inability to unplug should be a sign to them that something needs to change.

On the other hand, I understand that the Campbell's are an extreme case scenario and where chosen to prove a point.  One of the main topics throughout the article was whether or not the brain can continue to develop in adulthood.  Adapting to new ways of multitasking is a subject that many scientists are interested in studying.  Steven Yantis, a professor of brain sciences at Johns Hopkins University stated, "The bottom line is, the brain is wired to adapt."  It makes sense that as we grow and experience new things our brain should do the same.  But at times the growing distractions of multitasking can turn that adaption into something that is unuseful.  Richtel explains that scientists found that from sorting through e-mails, texts, various information found on the web and phone calls people are changing the way they think and act.  Which, inevitably changes their ability to fully foucs and comprehend single pieces of information.  Some even say that the excitement that comes from finding new information is what drives people the most, which is a very intresting concept.  These studies are going further to try and figure out whether these new technological advances are doing good or bad and I for one and looking forward to seeing what they find.

Introduction.

Hey, my name is Gabby Rahn and I am twenty-one years old.  I am currently a junior at IUP majoring in Hospitality Management.  I spent two years at the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts where I became certified in culinary and baking and pastry arts.